General Information Leaders: Merriweather Lewis(Captain, US Army)
William Clark(2nd Lt., US Army)
Start: August 31, 1803 (Pittsburgh, PA)
End: Winter 1805-1806 (Ft. Clatsop)
Timeline August 31, 1803- Left Pittsburgh, PA
Winter 1803-1804 - Training at Camp DuBois in Illinois Terr.
May 14, 1804- Left Camp DuBois
August 20, 1804- Crew Member died (appendicitis)
Winter 1804-1805- Built Fort Mandan (met Sacagawea during this time)
April 1805- Some members sent back with report (found 108 botanical and zoological specimens)
December 3, 1805- Spotted Mt. Hood (this mt. is next to the ocean)
March 23, 1806- Began journey back
July 3, 1806- Split into two groups (Lewis wanted to explore the Marias River)
August 11, 1806- Reunited the two groups
September 23, 1806- Reached St. Louis
Thomas Jefferson became fascinated with western exploration after the Louisiana Purchase. No one really knew what that land was worth but it turned out to be a very smart buy. Jefferson heard that King Louis XVI of France was planning on sending an expedition to the Northwest. It was strictly scientific, said the french, but Jefferson had strong doubts. The French were stopped by bad weather so they could not complete the mission as planned. Jefferson took advantage of this and organized an expedition to explore the Northwest. He promised this exploration was created only to find a passage to the Pacific and to keep records on geology, geography, botany and Indians. This trip proved very successful with only one death which was natural and not violence related.
It was a cold August 31st morning when Lewis and Clark began their daring expedition into the wild west. Jefferson ordered the expedition because was anxious to win the race to the west with France. He always had the fear that the French would try to get back the land they lost from the Louisiana Purchase. The fate of America’s future in the west lay in the hands of two magnificent men, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark.
After the cold winter at Camp Dubois, the crew left their home for the great outdoors. Unexpected, they came in contact with an Indian tribe known as the Yankton Sioux, who warned the Corps of Discovery about their brother tribe the Teton Sioux who were more aggressive and would probably ask for many gifts in order to pass. This was expected but the violent Sioux almost turned to fighting to settle the agreements of passage. Peace was finally achieved, giving enough time to for the crew to escape to safety.
Proceeding another weary winter, the Corps of Discovery unhesitatingly took up their paddles and packs and continued their journey. This time though, the group had three new members, Toussaint Charbonneau, Sacagawea and their child, whom Sacagawea carried everywhere. Familiar with the landscaping of the northwest, Toussaint guided the Corps of Discovery while Sacagawea translated for Toussaint’s words to the men. This proved extremely helpful because in less than a years time, the Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific coast around the area of Mt. Hood.
Jefferson’s fear of the French proved very useful. Returning home, Lewis and Clark brought with them tons of new botanical and zoological specimens, and new map, which paved the road for westward expansion. This was truly an amazing moment in American history.
Lewis and Clark's Adventure
What caused this great expedition and what was the outcome or results of their trip? Provide examples to support your answer.Leaders: Merriweather Lewis(Captain, US Army)
William Clark(2nd Lt., US Army)
Start: August 31, 1803 (Pittsburgh, PA)
End: Winter 1805-1806 (Ft. Clatsop)
Timeline
August 31, 1803- Left Pittsburgh, PA
Winter 1803-1804 - Training at Camp DuBois in Illinois Terr.
May 14, 1804- Left Camp DuBois
August 20, 1804- Crew Member died (appendicitis)
Winter 1804-1805- Built Fort Mandan (met Sacagawea during this time)
April 1805- Some members sent back with report (found 108 botanical and zoological specimens)
December 3, 1805- Spotted Mt. Hood (this mt. is next to the ocean)
March 23, 1806- Began journey back
July 3, 1806- Split into two groups (Lewis wanted to explore the Marias River)
August 11, 1806- Reunited the two groups
September 23, 1806- Reached St. Louis
Thomas Jefferson became fascinated with western exploration after the Louisiana Purchase. No one really knew what that land was worth but it turned out to be a very smart buy. Jefferson heard that King Louis XVI of France was planning on sending an expedition to the Northwest. It was strictly scientific, said the french, but Jefferson had strong doubts. The French were stopped by bad weather so they could not complete the mission as planned. Jefferson took advantage of this and organized an expedition to explore the Northwest. He promised this exploration was created only to find a passage to the Pacific and to keep records on geology, geography, botany and Indians. This trip proved very successful with only one death which was natural and not violence related.
It was a cold August 31st morning when Lewis and Clark began their daring expedition into the wild west. Jefferson ordered the expedition because was anxious to win the race to the west with France. He always had the fear that the French would try to get back the land they lost from the Louisiana Purchase. The fate of America’s future in the west lay in the hands of two magnificent men, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark.After the cold winter at Camp Dubois, the crew left their home for the great outdoors. Unexpected, they came in contact with an Indian tribe known as the Yankton Sioux, who warned the Corps of Discovery about their brother tribe the Teton Sioux who were more aggressive and would probably ask for many gifts in order to pass. This was expected but the violent Sioux almost turned to fighting to settle the agreements of passage. Peace was finally achieved, giving enough time to for the crew to escape to safety.
Proceeding another weary winter, the Corps of Discovery unhesitatingly took up their paddles and packs and continued their journey. This time though, the group had three new members, Toussaint Charbonneau, Sacagawea and their child, whom Sacagawea carried everywhere. Familiar with the landscaping of the northwest, Toussaint guided the Corps of Discovery while Sacagawea translated for Toussaint’s words to the men. This proved extremely helpful because in less than a years time, the Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific coast around the area of Mt. Hood.
Jefferson’s fear of the French proved very useful. Returning home, Lewis and Clark brought with them tons of new botanical and zoological specimens, and new map, which paved the road for westward expansion. This was truly an amazing moment in American history.